Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
Title (Primary) Influence of periphyton biomass dynamics on biological colmation processes in the hyporheic zone of a gravel bed river (River Lahn, Germany)
Title (Secondary) The ecology of the hyporheic zone of running waters. Patterns, processes and bottleneck functions
Author Ibisch, R.B.; Seydell, I.; Borchardt, D.
Publisher Borchardt, D.; Pusch, M.
Source Titel Advances in Limnology
Year 2009
Department ASAM
Volume 61
Page From 87
Page To 104
Language englisch
UFZ inventory Magdeburg, Bibliothek, 00377539, 10-2484 MA : Z
Magdeburg, Bibliothek, 00401333, 11-0307 MA : Z
Abstract Riverbed permeability is a key factor controlling important ecological functions taking place in the hyporheic zone in river ecosystems. However, no direct long-term and continuous measurements of colmation in rivers exist. Hence, we studied dynamic colmation patterns in the River Lahn (Germany) in order to quantify the biological colmation under eutrophic conditions. Daily temperature curves were measured in vertical profiles in the riverbed, which permitted the estimation of vertical infiltration velocities. These were related to the seasonal dynamics of discharge, water temperature, and of periphyton biomass. In addition, a hyporheic mesocosm experiment was conducted in order to reveal differences between internal and external colmation processes, including short-term dynamic patterns of gravel permeability. The results showed that the vertical infiltration rates across riffle structures were reduced from 0.20 m/h to 0.08 m/h during low discharge conditions. A negative exponential relationship between infiltration rates and periphyton biomass explained between 37% and 95 % of the variability of riverbed infiltration, with the higher value detected at low levels of vertical infiltration velocities. We conclude that in eutrophic rivers external colmation by periphyton is an important process controlling hyporheic exchange patterns.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=284
Ibisch, R.B., Seydell, I., Borchardt, D. (2009):
Influence of periphyton biomass dynamics on biological colmation processes in the hyporheic zone of a gravel bed river (River Lahn, Germany)
In: Borchardt, D., Pusch, M. (eds.)
The ecology of the hyporheic zone of running waters. Patterns, processes and bottleneck functions
Advanc. Limnol. 61
Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, p. 87 - 104